I finally received my Parks College of Engineering, Aviation & Technology alumni newsletter today. I had checked my (snail) mail box daily for its arrival. I felt like a kid, waiting for a special present to show up, and was so disappointed every day when it wasn't there.
But it was definitely worth the wait. All I can say is: WOW! They did a fantastic job with my article about my dad's years there as a student and teacher. The layout with the photos I provided is just perfect. I will treasure it always.
As soon as the newsletter is available online, I'll include a link for it.
I've already heard from a couple of alumni, and I hope to hear from many more!
ALL WHO WANDER ARE NOT LOST.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
** THIS AND THAT **
I scrolled through my blog posts and photos a few minutes ago and was reminded once again how much my writer-friends mean to me.
Not too many years ago, I lamented that I "had no talent". I always spoke of one sister as "the artistic one". She could paint, draw, sketch, sculpt, etc. My other sister could whip up clothes on her sewing machine that looked as well as, or better than, the ones in the department stores. My brother played the banjo, had a talent for comedy, and could take slabs of wood and make beautiful furniture out of them.....Then there was me. I hadn't discovered anything that I was really good at.....that I could develop a passion for.
That all changed when I realized I was a writer.....that I loved to write....I wanted to write.....I had to write. Writing has brought many new friends into my life. We encourage each other, we cheer for each other, we grumble a little together.
I can't imagine what my life would be like right now, today, August 14, 2009, if I wasn't thinking about writing continually, from the moment I wake up til I finally fall asleep at night......and speaking of falling asleep, I need to close up the laptop for tonight and.....zzzzzzzzz
Not too many years ago, I lamented that I "had no talent". I always spoke of one sister as "the artistic one". She could paint, draw, sketch, sculpt, etc. My other sister could whip up clothes on her sewing machine that looked as well as, or better than, the ones in the department stores. My brother played the banjo, had a talent for comedy, and could take slabs of wood and make beautiful furniture out of them.....Then there was me. I hadn't discovered anything that I was really good at.....that I could develop a passion for.
That all changed when I realized I was a writer.....that I loved to write....I wanted to write.....I had to write. Writing has brought many new friends into my life. We encourage each other, we cheer for each other, we grumble a little together.
I can't imagine what my life would be like right now, today, August 14, 2009, if I wasn't thinking about writing continually, from the moment I wake up til I finally fall asleep at night......and speaking of falling asleep, I need to close up the laptop for tonight and.....zzzzzzzzz
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
** MY BEAUTIFUL WIND CHIMES **
Here's a photo of my wind chimes that I've written about. They hang right outside the window over my kitchen sink
......Lovely to look at, even lovlier to hear!
......Lovely to look at, even lovlier to hear!** THE LIVING YEARS **
There's a song by Mike & The Mechanics called The Living Years that came out in the mid to late 1980's. It's about a guy who's at odds with his dad all the time. When his dad died, he wasn't with him, nor had he gotten around to telling him all the things he had to say..... (good things)
Every time I heard that song, it spoke volumes to me. It was during that same time that I had conflicted feelings about my dad. I wished things were different between us. I wanted to see him, but when I did, it was uncomfortable...for both of us. We didn't know what to talk about. We were strangers. We never reached the kind of relationship I so desperately wanted, but we at least reconnected the last couple of years he was alive. He knew I loved him and I knew he loved me.
The Living Years is on one or more of my playlists....maybe I'll add it to this newest one..... I think both the music and lyrics are beautiful.
Don't wait until it's too late to tell people how much they mean to you. Do it in the living years.
Every time I heard that song, it spoke volumes to me. It was during that same time that I had conflicted feelings about my dad. I wished things were different between us. I wanted to see him, but when I did, it was uncomfortable...for both of us. We didn't know what to talk about. We were strangers. We never reached the kind of relationship I so desperately wanted, but we at least reconnected the last couple of years he was alive. He knew I loved him and I knew he loved me.
The Living Years is on one or more of my playlists....maybe I'll add it to this newest one..... I think both the music and lyrics are beautiful.
Don't wait until it's too late to tell people how much they mean to you. Do it in the living years.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
** Julie & Julia **
This afternoon my friend Sherry and I went to see Julie & Julia. I loved it! Meryl Streep was superb, as always, and Amy Adams has become one of my favorite actors. I thought she was perfect for the role of Julie.
Usually when I like a movie, it's because of one major theme......a great love story, a hilarious comedy, a tense thriller. I really enjoyed Julie & Julia for various reasons. It was funny, sweet, poignant, and it was thrilling when Julia received the acceptance letter from the publisher for her cookbook!
As well as, when Julie received numerous phone calls from editors and agents who wanted to speak with her about publishing a book......well...... I was right there with her, dreaming of the day when I might hear those fabulous words, myself!
Usually when I like a movie, it's because of one major theme......a great love story, a hilarious comedy, a tense thriller. I really enjoyed Julie & Julia for various reasons. It was funny, sweet, poignant, and it was thrilling when Julia received the acceptance letter from the publisher for her cookbook!
As well as, when Julie received numerous phone calls from editors and agents who wanted to speak with her about publishing a book......well...... I was right there with her, dreaming of the day when I might hear those fabulous words, myself!
Friday, August 7, 2009
** A BLAST TO THE PAST & BACK **
I drove to Belleville, Illinois today to have lunch with some old friends....old as in how many years we've known each other. We met when I was in the 4th grade. We had a blast, talking about the past!
On the way home, I stopped off in Cahokia, Illinois to do more reminiscing. I drove past the house that had been home to my brother-in-law's parents for many years. I was pleased to see that it still looked nice, even though the neighborhood is deteriorating.
Then it was another mile or two until I turned into the lane that was home for my first seven years of life. What had happened? The street had shrunk and was way too narrow. The front yards were the size of miniature golf greens and the trees eclipsed the tiny bungalows. How in the world did we have so much room to run and play when I was young?
My house and most of the others had been neglected and looked different than the last time I'd taken this sentimental journey. As I slowly inched along, reading the house numbers, I recalled the names of the families I had known so well. The "so and so's" lived at 803, then next door had been the "J" family, and then my house at 807. I came to a complete stop and just stared for awhile, feeling sad. My brain accepts the fact that things change and sometimes in unpleasant ways, but my heart screams NO.
A brief moment did bring a smile to my face. I saw the original aluminum awnings on a house with the big "M" on them. They weren't rusty or aged looking. That warmed my heart, as if those wonderful people still lived there. And if they did, I knew if I parked my car in their driveway, walked up to the door and knocked, they would welcome me in with open arms.
While driving back home, thoughts and memories tumbled in my mind like clothes in a clothes-dryer. Going back to reminisce about those happy times during the 1950's is great fun, but when I'm back in reality, it's wonderful during a hot day like today, to have a/c in my car!
On the way home, I stopped off in Cahokia, Illinois to do more reminiscing. I drove past the house that had been home to my brother-in-law's parents for many years. I was pleased to see that it still looked nice, even though the neighborhood is deteriorating.
Then it was another mile or two until I turned into the lane that was home for my first seven years of life. What had happened? The street had shrunk and was way too narrow. The front yards were the size of miniature golf greens and the trees eclipsed the tiny bungalows. How in the world did we have so much room to run and play when I was young?
My house and most of the others had been neglected and looked different than the last time I'd taken this sentimental journey. As I slowly inched along, reading the house numbers, I recalled the names of the families I had known so well. The "so and so's" lived at 803, then next door had been the "J" family, and then my house at 807. I came to a complete stop and just stared for awhile, feeling sad. My brain accepts the fact that things change and sometimes in unpleasant ways, but my heart screams NO.
A brief moment did bring a smile to my face. I saw the original aluminum awnings on a house with the big "M" on them. They weren't rusty or aged looking. That warmed my heart, as if those wonderful people still lived there. And if they did, I knew if I parked my car in their driveway, walked up to the door and knocked, they would welcome me in with open arms.
While driving back home, thoughts and memories tumbled in my mind like clothes in a clothes-dryer. Going back to reminisce about those happy times during the 1950's is great fun, but when I'm back in reality, it's wonderful during a hot day like today, to have a/c in my car!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Aggie's Tea Room in O'Fallon, Missouri
Aggie's Tea Room has announced the opening of their Wine, Beer & Tapas Garden:
(Owned by my friend, Aggie!!)
We welcome reservations both for lunch, dinner, parties , groups or for any special occasions!
If you have any questions, please feel free to call!
Again, we would like to thank you all for your patronage in the past as well as encouragement in this new venture! Looking forward to seeing you at Aggie's
Aggie AND STAFF Aggie's Closet and Tea Room 9036 Veterans Memorial Parkway O'fallon, MO 63366 mailto:636-379-6878aggiestearoom@aol.com http://www.aggiestearoom.com/
(Owned by my friend, Aggie!!)
We welcome reservations both for lunch, dinner, parties , groups or for any special occasions!
If you have any questions, please feel free to call!
Again, we would like to thank you all for your patronage in the past as well as encouragement in this new venture! Looking forward to seeing you at Aggie's
Aggie AND STAFF Aggie's Closet and Tea Room 9036 Veterans Memorial Parkway O'fallon, MO 63366 mailto:636-379-6878aggiestearoom@aol.com http://www.aggiestearoom.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)